The International Association of Laboratory Schools (IALS) has named Burris Laboratory School as its 2025 Outstanding Laboratory School of the Year.
Burris, a public K–12 school that is part of Ball State University, was selected for its leadership in educational innovation, research, and its unwavering focus on student voice and academic excellence.
The award, presented at the IALS annual conference in Kingston, R.I., honors one institution each year that exemplifies the core values of laboratory schools: research and inquiry, professional development, curriculum innovation, teacher preparation, and educational experimentation.
This recognition caps a multi-year transformation for Burris, which re-engaged with IALS in 2022 after a period of limited involvement. Since then, the school has redefined its identity as a true laboratory school—authoring new curriculum, strengthening teacher development, elevating student voice, and building national partnerships. The result is a school community that embodies collaboration, reflection, and innovation at every level.
“This honor highlights the essential role Burris plays within our Teachers College,” said Dr. Katrina Bulkley, dean of Ball State’s Teachers College. “We are proud to have Burris as part of our University community—a school that doesn’t rest on its successes, but instead constantly evolves, reflects, and shares best practices with others in the lab school network and beyond. I am deeply grateful to the Burris team for its commitment to excellence and its focus on students.”
Burris earned the highest overall score among peer institutions through its strong showing across the award criteria. Judges highlighted the school’s commitment to practitioner research, student voice, and its students-first philosophy, noting that these values inform not just programming and instruction, but how Burris engages with the wider community.
“This honor belongs to our entire school community,” said Dr. Abigail Comber, principal and chairperson of Burris Laboratory School. “Just a few years ago, we set out to reimagine what it means to be a laboratory school—from how we design curriculum to how we center student voice. That kind of transformation doesn’t happen without deep commitment and collaboration across every level of our school. To be recognized now by our peers in IALS is an extraordinary affirmation of how far we’ve come—and the values we live every day.”
Burris faculty and staff contributed to several sessions at the IALS 2025 conference, including presentations on outdoor education, portfolio-based student feedback, and school-university partnerships. These sessions showcased Burris’ innovative approaches to ungraded assessment, student agency, and collaborative curriculum design.
Founded in 1929 by Ball State’s Teachers College, Burris is a public K–12 school that is part of Ball State and serves as its university-affiliated laboratory school—acting as a model site for educational research, curriculum development, and clinical experiences for future educators.
For more information about Burris, visit the school website or call 765-285-1131.